“Deportation flights have begun,” the White House stated.
President Donald Trump has taken action after Colombia blocked two deportation flights carrying illegal aliens from the United States.
As previously reported, the Trump administration has begun deporting illegal aliens on military aircraft to South America. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a former Marxist guerrilla and outspoken Trump opponent, confirmed via a post on the X platform that he blocked the flights from landing.
The U.S. had attempted to send military planes carrying approximately 160 deported criminal aliens to Bogotá, but Petro intervened to prevent them from landing.
Trump publicly criticized Petro’s decision and announced a series of retaliatory measures.
“I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia,” Trump said. “Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures.”
Trump’s measures include:
• Emergency 25% tariffs on all goods entering the United States from Colombia, increasing to 50% within one week.
• A travel ban and visa revocations for Colombian government officials, their allies, and supporters.
• Visa sanctions targeting party members, family members, and other supporters of the Colombian government.
• Enhanced inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo entering the United States.
• Treasury, banking, and financial sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, emphasizing that these measures are a direct response to Colombia’s actions:
“Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States. These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!”
